My good friend, and typically creative partner in crime, Stefan Haverkamp, passed away in a heartbreaking accident while recording last month. If you knew Stefan or you believe aiding maverick creatives like Stefan manage in this world is very important, yet you can’t be troubled to review this piece, please just take into consideration donating to his scholarship fund here Thank you.
This is the much longer story.
When I got a DM informing me regarding the crash the prompt sensation was one of shock and intense unhappiness– however honestly, not of shock. That is not to claim Stefan had a death dream. He had the exact reverse, the greatest life desire. More than any individual I recognize. However he would always go that little bit more to obtain the shot. Even more than you and I.
Stefan was a one off. He had one-of-a-kind power. Doer energy. Making crap take place power. That’s why after concerning 15 minutes of chatting with him and seeing his publication I took him on as an intern at Another Abnormality in New york city, very early 2008 I do not keep in mind if I was trying to find an intern or exactly how we obtained introduced, however as an author, not an art director, I am always looking for people who can make their concepts occur.
The initial concept we worked with together was Periodontal Political election. Stefan’s concept was easy. Stick your gum tissue on the governmental candidate you believe draws one of the most. A common Stefan concept in that it referenced pop culture and fixed a public need. I didn’t do much, perhaps assisted streamline the idea a little. We published out a lots of posters and required to the streets. That was for the 2008 election. We did the exact same for 2012 coordinating with one of Stefans buddies, Hedvig Astrom. Without money Stefan somehow blagged us an area on CNN.
Who does that? Stefan.
We after that dealt with the Miami Ad College trainees on producing a publication called Celeb Sound Pong. I was supposed to establish briefs and do crits yet thought making a magazine would be extra actual. Stefan contributed in pulling that with each other and aiding me organise the launch event, to which I welcomed a lots of market individual. The facility was a publication launch and ping pong tournament, however we established the trainees profiles in the edge also. Tricky! It was a terrific night. Perry Chen, musician and owner of Kickstarter, won the event.
I was brand-new to the States having actually just relocated there. I didn’t truly know any person. But my intern informed Miami Advertisement School that I ‘d be a good educator. He got me , his employer, the job that presented me to a ton of incredible people that have actually taken place to be excellent buddies.
That does that? Stefan.
My ping pong fixation continued. In 2012 I started a ping pong streetwear brand name; Thompson Punke, in cooperation with JB, Emily and Simon at Red Antler. Obviously when I needed an item shoot, Stefan did that. He turned up at the Brownstone we will refurbish with a ton of cameras and lights. Without any style item experience he simply shows up and accomplish.
That does that? Stefan.
By now we are quite buddies. Stefan comes round a whole lot. He concerns my partner’s birthday celebration. He offers her an axe as her gift. Not an awesome hipster axe, just a normal axe from the equipment store.
That does that? Stefan.
My wife and I mosted likely to the 2010 Globe Cup in South Africa. We had friends there. It’s a long fucking method from New York to Cape Community. Without job and no cash, in some way Stefan makes it there too. We fulfill in Cape Town. He’s been blagging tickets and hitching around Africa partying with football followers from around the world.
That does that? Stefan.
I get a big work at JWT NY. I have some power, so obviously I hire Stefan. He was not created that area. I truthfully believe the only real ad agency that Stefan would have really felt absolutely in your home at was Crispin in its prime time. He simply really did not think like any individual else and refused to jeopardize. Which, obviously is what we are meant to do however does not rest at the majority of companies– specifically JWT New york city. Things were not working out. I don’t remember him getting a solitary piece of work out. (I didn’t either, absolutely nothing actual anyway.) I do remember him dealing with to the death for an idea to bring back Concorde for a quick. So much so ultimately he got discharged. (I did also).
That does that? Stefan.
During that time he was deep into film-making. Every extra minute was invested in his short, Cam An excellent movie about a stalker hacking right into a girl’s laptop using her webcam. This resulted in him making a complete function– Ratter, with the very same group of friends. Stefan would certainly ask me which Hollywood manufacturer they need to authorize with. The man that did Paranormal Activity? Like I would certainly understand. For the document the Paranormal individual ended up being an asshole. But still he turned a brief made with a few friends into a completely funded attribute.
That does that? Stefan.
I assume at the very same time he and I had a silly concept for another movie. The first full function scary motion picture shot on Go Pros. Thus Hide was birthed. I composed the script in 5 days. Somehow you can inform. Stefan virtually did every little thing else. He set up spreading though CraigsList. He got all the arrangements together, providing everyone factors. Since that is exactly how Stefan came close to crap– there was never any kind of question in his mind that it wouldn’t be a success therefore we need airtight arrangements. We fired over a week in my home upstate. It was wild. A cast of 6, staff of 3, sometimes 4. We consumed, consumed alcohol and slept together for that week. Stefan comes back and edits it together. But after that he in fact discovers a distributor and obtains it offered. You can see it on i-tunes, it has an IMDB entrance A crappy movie made for 10 k.
That does that? Stefan.
At a comparable time Stefan obtains overturned by a UPS truck and smashes his arm and shoulder. He’s in hospital, it’s not good. He ultimately obtains a settlement. With that money he has the ability to concentrate on what he enjoys best, full-time film making. He turns getting nearly squashed by a vehicle on 2 nd Method into a positive life adjustment.
That does that? Stefan.
Afterwards I didn’t see him so much. I left the ad industry. And had kids. However I would certainly see him every so often. And he would certainly still call a lot. ‘Heeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyy James. Haus it goiiiiiinnnnnnnnn guy?’ Infectious enthusiasm. And when everybody else is texting, he’s still calling.
That does that? Stefan.
My last communication with him was in fact a sms message. He was using a Thompson Punke T-Shirt going up the pyramids. He was clearly having a blast, however at the exact same time, thinking of someone else. Wishing to share the love.
I want I can see him once more. I desire I could state just how outstanding he was. I hope he was happy making films for the last couple of years. If you asked him exactly how he wish to die he would probably state, ‘Yah making movies for sure’.
He died doing what he loved.
That does that?
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Update.
Stefans Scholarship fund raised nearly four thousand bucks. It has actually closed now however if see the page you can see all individuals included and leave message of assistance (and I make sure contribute in some other method). Thanks.